Description
Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful dish inspired by the famous Portuguese-African recipe. This homemade version features a fiery and aromatic peri peri marinade made from red bell peppers, African Bird’s Eye chilies, garlic, vinegar, and a medley of herbs and spices. The chicken is marinated for maximum flavor, then seared to perfection for a juicy, smoky, and spicy meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Peri Peri Marinade
- 1 whole red bell pepper
- 5 pieces African Bird’s Eye Chilis (adjust according to spice tolerance)
- 8 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup parsley
- 1/2 lemon, juice only
- 2 pieces bay leaves
Additional Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional for creaminess)
- 4 large chicken breasts (cut horizontally into pieces)
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Preparation: Begin by preparing all your ingredients as listed, including cutting the chicken breasts horizontally into pieces for better cooking and marinade absorption.
- Blend the Marinade: In a food processor, combine the red bell pepper, African Bird’s Eye chilies, garlic, distilled white vinegar, olive oil, oregano, paprika, rosemary, salt, sugar, parsley, and lemon juice. Pulse until you get a smooth puree with no large chunks to ensure an even marinade.
- Simmer the Sauce: Transfer the blended marinade into a saucepan and add the bay leaves. Let it simmer gently over medium heat for about 20 minutes. This step deepens the flavors and melds the ingredients together.
- Finalize the Marinade: After simmering, remove the bay leaves and allow the sauce to cool for 10 minutes. Then, blend the sauce again until very smooth to achieve a creamy consistency perfect for coating the chicken.
- Marinate the Chicken: Thoroughly coat the chicken pieces with the peri peri sauce. For best results, marinate the chicken for at least a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Place the marinated chicken pieces in the pan to begin cooking.
- Get a Beautiful Sear: Cook the chicken on one side for about 3 minutes or until golden-brown. Then flip the pieces carefully to sear the other side, creating a flavorful crust.
- Finish Cooking: Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the chicken for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the meat is juicy and safe to eat.
Notes
- Adjust the number of African Bird’s Eye chilies depending on desired spice level to suit your taste.
- Marinating overnight yields the most flavorful and tender chicken.
- The mayonnaise is optional and can be added to the sauce for creaminess if preferred.
- If you don’t have a food processor, a high-speed blender can be used as an alternative.
- Make sure to monitor the chicken’s internal temperature to avoid undercooking or drying out.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Portuguese-African
Keywords: Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken, peri peri chicken recipe, spicy chicken, Portuguese chicken, homemade peri peri sauce, African Bird's Eye chili chicken, grilled chicken substitute, flavorful chicken recipe
